Marcel Lorié died Feb. 17 in Antwerp, Belgium. He was 80. Lorié was the founder of the International Gemological Institute, and its chairman since the Institute’s inception in 1975.

Lorié is survived by his wife, Mignon; a son, Roland; a daughter, Carole Lorié-Low; and eight grandchildren. He and Mignon had celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary the day before he died.

Roland Lorié said, “When my father started the IGI, the majority of the diamond community did not even know what certificates were, and only stones over 2.00 cts. were certified. Most people did not think a lab in Antwerp would work. He was ahead of his time.”